The cost of a prepaid, 4-year university plan for a newborn in Florida has climbed more than 350 percent in the last six years. In 2006-07, the prepaid cost for 4-year university tuition and fees was $14,616. Now, it’s $53,729, which comes out to $332 a month over 18 years. More from StateImpact Florida.

Builders group gives bikes, gear to kids

Associated Builders & Contractors distributed hundreds of bikes, helmets and locks to South Florida local children in need during its 17th season of Handlebars for the Holidays giving program. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Tony Bennett selected as new Florida education commissioner

Business Profile

New Life Hiking Spa

From their Naples headquarters, Jimmy and Kathleen LeSage operate a series of wellness-related businesses, including New Life Hiking Spa in Vermont. The spa has gained a national reputation for its “wellness vacations” featuring hiking, yoga, aerobics, massages and low-calorie meals.

Tony Bennett, who lost his job running Indiana schools in an election last month, will become Florida's new education commissioner. Although his career has been in Indiana, board members said he has been active in the same national efforts as Florida, working to adopt new Common Core academic standards and new tests to measure whether students have learned them. More at the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.

Average South Florida mortgage balance drops by almost $3K in a year

A sign of improving times in South Florida: The average mortgage balance has dropped by nearly $3,000 in a year, according to a new study, with some homeowners paying down their loan when refinancing. The average balance of a home loan in Broward and Miami-Dade counties fell from $198,150 in November 2011 to last month's $195,274. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Tips for managing workplace stress

There are end of the year deals to close, budgets to meet, gifts to buy, and just thinking about it has your stress level rising. But when does stress turn into distress and at what point should your employer intervene? More at the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box 'Regifting' gains popularity as a holiday tradition

Once considered tacky, recycling of presents has gained popularity during the economic downturn. About a third of consumers regifted during the holidays last year, according to an American Express survey, up from 24 percent in 2010. "It's becoming more mainstream," said Joanne Kerstetter, vice president for Money Management International, a financial-education nonprofit group that has a website devoted to regifting. "It's a way to help people save on holiday expenses. It is a method of recycling, and it's a way to take the emphasis off gift giving and [to bring back] the spirit of the holidays."